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The Best Cars Under AUD$30,000: Mileage and Room Okay, we let a few cars in that were a tad more than
$30,000 but the reality is that with some good bargaining you can get
all of these cars under MSRP. On the other hand the new Toyota Corolla
is due out next year and is the 800-pound gorilla in the room and
cannot be ignored. Indeed, even the existing version would have done
very well in our battle at the bottom of the suggest retail price
ladder. We tried to make this a test of the newer vehicles and so
the Ford Focus, PT Cruiser, the Scions, and others of that
ilk were left out. All of these are good vehicles, well priced, and offering a
great many family amenities, but we wanted to limit ourselves to the newest kinders
on the block.
Thus we tested both the Nissan Versa hatchback and sedan
with manual transmission and automatic respectively. Add to that the Dodge
Caliber, the Suzuki SX4, the Honda Civic, Mazda 3, Nissan
Sentra, Kia Spectra, and the Hyundai Accent. The Jeep Compass would have made our test, but the only
vehicle available was priced at $41,000 even though this rough and ready SUV
base price is just under $30,000. The Mitsubishi Lancer was also unavailable.
Where to start? Well, the Nissan Sentra was sensational
with the CVT, but the price as tested pushed it close to $40,000. Is it a great
car with excellent brakes, above average handling, superior gas mileage, and
plenty of storage room? But you just can’t compare it to the huddled hatchbacks
that make up the bulk of the under $30,000 crowd. So out it went.
Next up was the controversial Suzuki SX4 starting at
$30,000 with all wheel drive. It was a great ride, but the all wheel drive unit
sapped its power and fuel mileage. However, we decided to leave it in anyway
because it shows how much technology you can get for the price of four-year-old
Toyota Camry XLE. Besides, that Suzuki warranty is very family friendly
extending to 100,000 miles.
We liked the handling of the Volkswagen Golf, but if you
option it with anything it is over the price range. Besides, the fuel mileage
and performance just weren’t up to the others even though the quality and handling
were excellent. We think that Golf is a good car, but the pricing of our test
model put it at $40,000 well loaded. As
such we dropped it from the test where it would have finished mid-pack based
since our emphasis was on operating economy, cargo space, and value. If we
wanted to run a road race we would take the Golf. As for fit and finish, the Golf would place well there, too.
Exceptional
For versatility and price the Nissan Versa is an easy
winner. It gets well over 30 mpg, costs under $30,000 and never feels small. On
the downside it does not handle well and the seats catch every bit of hair and
hold on to it tenaciously. The seat covers look like velour and grab like a
drunken sailor. By the way, the seats are very comfortable. We must warn you
not to judge this car by its looks. This is easily the car of the year for the
frugal but its looks don’t have curb appeal.
Tied for best value was the Hyundai Elantra. Although you
must be careful of what options you order, you can buy this spacious, good
handling, and quite attractive Hyundai under $30,000 and still get the great
warranty. We wouldn’t mind owning either of these cars, but if you want to
drive the Elantra is the better gomobile.
Next was the well-heralded Honda Civic. It is fun to drive,
has a fold down rear seat and gives excellent fuel mileage. It ranks up there
with the Mazda 3 for handling, but its manual transmission isn’t as good as the
Mazda’s. It is more expensive than the Versa and you never forget you are in a
small car while driving one with its low seating position and reduced side
visibility. It is much improved over earlier models.
Dodge’s Caliber has a vast and trendy interior, but the
large blind spots and in your face interior was a bit much. Fun is fun, but an
interior with bright red and white upholstering accented with very shiny
painted metal require a more youthful slant.
That being said, you aren’t going to get more car for less money. It is
the best Dodge product at this time outside of their minivans and can be
ordered with an array of options that can escalate the price well above
$40,000.
Honda Fit is a smaller, more economical, less distinctive
version of the Caliber. However, it is much more fun with a fine combination of
handling, economy, room, and spirit. It does feel small and rough roads aren’t’
its forte. It costs considerable less than the Civic, but is less of a car. If
Honda would just put their hybrid unit in the Fit it would be the best such
vehicle made. As it is this is a terrific vehicle, but too closely priced to
the base Civic.
The Mazda 3 is next in line for appreciation. Along with
the Volkswagen Golf it is the best handler of the group and quite enjoyable
to romp with. However, its fuel mileage isn’t up to snuff and you don’t get as
much with the base model as others moves. We feel it is going to appeal to
young male’s the most, which isn’t to say the 3 isn’t a family friendly car.
However, its forte is it rompability. This Mazda loves to play tag with the
apex of corners as much as sip fuel. Be warned that the torque steer can get
your attention in a hurry. Easily a better vehicle than the much more pricey
Audi 3. The best choice on our list if you really like to drive.
Good
A nasty spat occurred with the Suzuki SX4 based around the
unfairness of comparing an all wheel drive vehicle with front wheel drive
economy cars. Anyway, the result was a high finish for the nicely prepared and
versatile SX4. Its busy engine and aforementioned just adequate fuel mileage
relegated it to this placement. If Suzuki would make this an all wheel drive
model and cut the cost it would be a much stouter competitor. As it stands, it
is the low cost all wheel drive champion. The Yaris is the weakest of all Toyota products. It is
fuel-efficient and does look cute, but outside of that the competition has it
covered. We didn’t like the way it handled, the blind spots to the side, the
low driving position, or the way it corners. A new Corolla is well worth the
extra and gets nearly the same gas mileage and is a terrific handler. With the
Corolla being redone this year look for some terrific deals. In fact, the
Corolla is one of the best cars you can buy regardless of price.
Price Vehicles
The Kia Spectra and Hyundai Accent just
aren’t as much car as the others. We also believe that the resale may not be as
strong. Thus these are price cars that deliver good fuel mileage and adequate
interior room, but they don’t make you feel special or offer anything other
than a compact ride and feel. As for the Spectra,
the same could be said, as the larger and more powerful Kia Optima is a
superior car with some exceptional lease deals being offered. And there
is no doubt that the excellent Hyundai Elantra is worth the additional cost
over the Accent.
Family values
Mom’s view: I like a small car that doesn’t feel like a
small car. So, it’s the Versa all the way. It just does what you ask, holds
plenty of everything, and if you opt for the CVT you get exceptional
drivability that can easily surpass 32 mpg.
I wouldn’t get the manual transmission simply because it was so
difficult to shift in a hurry and the high clutch take up made it difficult to
modulate wearing shoes with just one inch heels. The interior fabric is a bit
grabby and difficult to clean and the stereo volume control is a bear to
operate with fingernails that haven’t been bitten down. Overall a great bargain
of the car. Forget the sedan and get the hatchback even with its gawky looks.
The head and legroom is remarkable and the 122 horsepower 1.8 liter engine is
much more potent than one would think. Get the optional CVT and relax with the
welcoming seats, good visibility and plenty of standard features.
Unfortunately, the low price tag means common sense items such as anti lock brakes
are options.
I liked the Suzuki, too. It was cute and comfortable. But,
its 2.0 liter four cylinder engine provides just 143 horsepower to move the
2800 pounder around. Although it is eager to please and can be frisky with the
five speed manual you have to work that transmission hard to get to 60 miles an
hour in under ten seconds. The interior
isn’t badly done and there were a number of useful storage areas, but I found
it rather bland. Mind you this is a very nice car and one that would have been
my first choice if it was a tad less costly and didn’t have the all wheel drive
unit to hamper performance. As it now stands this is an underrated vehicle that
has plenty of visual appeal and a lot of useable storage area. Quite good and
certainly a strong consideration if you drive where inclement weather is a
concern, the SX4 carries a warranty that is as good as it gets.
Of the others, the Honda Fit didn’t fit me, the Mazda was
just too boy racer, the Dodge was too stiff legged, and the Aveo didn’t have enough
perkiness. The Yaris was a disappointment from every aspect except visual
appeal. Too low and too slow. Give me that Corolla. The Hyundai Elantra was
extremely nice and returned excellent fuel mileage and a good ride. However, it
was too difficult for me to get in and out of due to its low height and I felt
cramped in the rear seats.
Dad’s view: I liked the Civic, but the Honda Fit grabbed
my attention. It was so easy to maneuver and the fold flat rear hatch area was
simple and honest in its operation. Both vehicles offer the good fuel mileage with 32-mpg easy to obtain with
a manual transmission. If I had long distances to commute my backside would
tire of the bumpy ride due to the short wheelbase of the Fit and I would buy
the more relaxed fit of the Civic. Either way these are good value.
Call it a manly compact, but the Caliber is a whole lot of
vehicle for the money. Keep to the standard 148 horsepower 1.8 liter four
cylinder engine and the CVT and you are going to get 25 mpg. If you want to throw
out the $15,000 or so mandate, order more powerful engines and get yourself a
wild and wicked wagon. The versatility of the Caliber is everything as the
handling isn’t really up to its husky stance. If you like the look of the
interior with its body colored plastic and loud color pallet, this is a very
worthy buy. However, the Fit and the Versa felt more connected to the road. A
good family car with a high seating position and lots of funky features such as
fold down rear speakers the Caliber is fun, but not frisky.
Let me make this as simple to understand as possible. The
Yaris isn’t what Toyota
is about. We were unimpressed. It was small inside, the 1.5-liter engine and
its 106 horsepower weren’t enough, and the whole car felt cheap. The only plus
was the exceptional fuel mileage of 35 mpg in mixed driving. Buy a Scion or wait for the all-new Corolla
pricing before getting involved with this Camryish looking sedan.
Working woman’s view: The Mazda has snap even though it
costs you at the fuel pump. Indeed the all wheel drive Suzuki nearly returned
the same fuel mileage as the Mazda with 24 for the SX4 and the Mazda giving us
25 mpg. The Mazda has handling, looks, and personality and it won me over.
Although a bit youthful for my tastes, the interior was well done and the
engine always on call. The Mazda 3 is a lot of car for under $30,000 and the
equal to the much more expensive Audi 3.
College going male’s view:
As for the Honda
Fit, it just was too small for me. The Civic was terrific, but it with options
it can cost more than the larger Honda Accord.
My favorite was the Dodge Caliber. It had everything and was a huge
bargain. There was plenty of room, great interior design, and enough engine to
provide good fuel efficiency and not intrude on acceleration and performance.
However, you need to get the standard transmission with the base engine. If you
want an automatic get the six-cylinder engine. You’ll need it as the Caliber’s
energy is drained dramatically with a family onboard.
Second would be the Mazda 3, but only because I felt the
ride was too sporty for those who use their vehicles mainly for commuting on
crowded roads. It was edgy and fun in the open spaces, but in town it was
tiring to drive.
Family conference This category of family friendly vehicles that is expanding second only to that of the sales of crossover SUVs. As such every car is worth considering and it is a good idea to seriously shop only you have driven each one on a rough road, in heavy traffic where visibility can be a problem, and at night. Sadly, some of these vehicles have less than terrific night lighting with low cost headlights and only a small dome light for the interior. None of these models even came close to our lighting standards set by the luxury brands. Don’t just take these for a zip around the block. At highway speeds the engine noise can be a distraction and you need to do at least one fast lane change and emergency braking test where it is safe. Since these vehicles are new they have not gone through the government safety-testing program. Thus it is best to order as many safety features as you can afford on these vehicles. And, should you be willing at accept a vehicle long in the tooth, the Corolla is as good as the best of these, especially the CE. Written by The Car Family
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